9501.Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides.

951King. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,

952That for this twelue-month, shee'le not vndertake

953A maried life: her reason to her selfe is onely knowne,

954Which from her, by no meanes can I get.

9552.Knight. May we not get accesse to her (my Lord?)

956king. Fayth, by no meanes, she hath so strictly

957Tyed her to her Chamber, that t'is impossible:

958One twelue Moones more shee'le weare Dianas liuerie:

959This by the eye of Cinthya hath she vowed,

960And on her Virgin honour, will not breake it.

9613.knight. Loth to bid farewell, we take our leaues.

962king. So, they are well dispatcht:

963Now to my daughters Letter; she telles me heere,

964Shee'le wedde the stranger Knight,

965Or neuer more to view nor day nor light.

966T'is well Mistris, your choyce agrees with mine:

967I like that well: nay how absolute she's in't,

968Not minding whether I dislike or no.

969Well, I do commend her choyce, and will no longer

970Haue it be delayed: Soft, heere he comes,

971I must dissemble it.

973Peri. All fortune to the good Symonides.

974King. To you as much: Sir, I am behoulding to you

975For your sweete Musicke this last night:

976I do protest, my eares were neuer better fedde

977With such delightfull pleasing harmonie.

978Peri. It is your Graces pleasure to commend,

979Not my desert.

980king. Sir, you are Musickes maister.

981Peri. The worst of all her schollers (my good Lord.)

982king. Let me aske you one thing:

983What do you thinke of my Daughter, sir?

984Peri. A most vertuous Princesse.

985king. And she is faire too, is she not?

986Peri. As a faire day in Sommer: woondrous faire.

987king. Sir, my Daughter thinkes very well of you,

988I so well, that you must be her Maister,

989And she will be your Scholler; therefore looke to it.

990Peri. I am vnworthy for her Scholemaister.

991king. She thinkes not so: peruse this writing else.

992Per. What's here, a letter that she loues the knight of Tyre?

993T'is the Kings subtiltie to haue my life:

994Oh seeke not to intrappe me, gracious Lord,

995A Stranger, and distressed Gentleman,

996That neuer aymed so hie, to loue your Daughter,

997But bent all offices to honour her.

998king. Thou hast bewitcht my daughter,

999And thou art a villaine.

1000Peri. By the Gods I haue not; neuer did thought

1001Of mine leuie offence; nor neuer did my actions

1002Yet commence a deed might gaine her loue,

1003Or your displeasure.

1004king. Traytor, thou lyest.

1005Peri. Traytor?

1006king. I, traytor.

1007Peri. Euen in his throat, vnlesse it be the King,

1008That cals me Traytor, I returne the lye.

1009king. Now by the Gods, I do applaude his courage.

1010Peri. My actions are as noble as my thoughts,

1011That neuer relisht of a base discent:

1012I came vnto your Court for Honours cause,

1013And not to be a Rebell to her state:

1014And he that otherwise accountes of mee,

1015This Sword shall prooue, hee's Honours enemie.

1016king. No? heere comes my Daughter, she can witnesse it.

1018Peri. Then as you are as vertuous, as faire,

1019Resolue your angry Father, if my tongue

1020Did ere solicite, or my hand subscribe

1021To any sillable that made loue to you?

1022Thai. Why sir, say if you had, who takes offence?

1023At that, would make me glad?

1024King. Yea Mistris, are you so peremptorie?

1025I am glad on't with all my heart,

1026Ile tame you; Ile bring you in subiection. Aside.

1027Will you not, hauing my consent,

1028Bestow your loue and your affections,

1029Vpon a Stranger? who for ought I know,

1030May be (nor can I thinke the contrary) Aside.

1031As great in blood as I my selfe:

1032Therefore, heare you Mistris, either frame

1033Your will to mine: and you sir, heare you;

1034Either be rul'd by mee, or Ile make you,

1035Man and wife: nay come, your hands,

1036And lippes must seale it too: and being ioynd,

1037Ile thus your hopes destroy, and for further griefe:

1038God giue you ioy; what are you both pleased?

1039Tha. Yes, if you loue me sir?

1040Peri. Euen as my life, my blood that fosters it.

1041King. What are you both agreed?

1042Ambo. Yes, if't please your Maiestie.

1043King. It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed,

1044And then with what haste you can, get you to bed. Exeunt.